Li Yifeng’s recent appearance has once again sent shockwaves across Chinese social media, marking a rare moment of public attention four years after he was effectively forced out of the entertainment industry following a serious scandal.
After being involved in a high-profile prostitution scandal in 2022, Li Yifeng was completely banned from Chinese showbiz, with no path left for a domestic comeback. On the morning of January 14, Chinese media reported that the former top star was spotted at a football field, looking almost unchanged from his peak days when he dominated the entertainment scene. What truly stunned netizens, however, was his height.
In photos circulating online, Li Yifeng appeared alongside a man known to be 181 cm tall, yet Li noticeably looked taller. This sparked speculation that his height is now around 184–185 cm. Shortly afterward, an individual who had previously met Li Yifeng during a business discussion revealed that the actor himself confirmed his current height as 184 cm.
This revelation came as a major surprise because during his active years in showbiz, Li Yifeng was officially listed as 181 cm tall, and past photos with fellow celebrities appeared to support that claim. If the new information is accurate, it suggests that Li Yifeng has somehow grown approximately 3 cm since leaving the industry despite now being in his late 30s.
The unexpected height increase has left the public both stunned and skeptical. Many netizens expressed disbelief that a man nearing 40 could grow taller naturally, while others speculated that Li Yifeng may never have disclosed his true height during his career. Some even suggested that platform shoes or height-enhancing footwear were widely used in past celebrity photos
Li Yifeng’s fall from grace began in September 2022, when he was detained for repeatedly soliciting prostitution. At the age of 35, his career collapsed overnight. He received 15 days of administrative detention, and during that period, a short explicit video allegedly involving him spread rapidly online. Following the scandal, the former Swords of Legends star was permanently banned from Chinese entertainment activities and reportedly paid up to USD 20 million in compensation to advertisers and business partners.
Since exiting showbiz, Li Yifeng has lived a low-profile life in Chengdu, his hometown. He has occasionally been spotted dining out, shopping, or playing sports with friends. Witnesses say that when fans politely ask for photos, he usually agrees without avoiding attention. Chinese media report that thanks to the massive wealth he accumulated during his career, Li continues to live comfortably and is now involved in business investments to generate income.
In April last year, Li Yifeng once again stirred controversy by organizing a series of overseas fan meetings. Chinese media widely interpreted these events as an attempt to circumvent China’s domestic broadcast ban, since they were held outside the country’s regulatory jurisdiction.
Though long removed from the spotlight, Li Yifeng’s every reappearance continues to spark intense discussion proving that even after a dramatic fall from stardom, his name still carries undeniable weight in the public eye.
Sources: K14